How to Use Points and Miles to Visit the 17 Best Places to Travel in 2026

Stop Hoarding — Start Booking: Use Points & Miles to Visit the 17 Best Places to Travel in 2026

Too many choices, too little time, and too many half‑truths about award travel? You’re not alone. If you’re time‑poor and want reliable, money‑smart ways to turn points and miles into unforgettable 2026 trips, this is your hands‑on plan. Below I map the best loyalty programs, award windows, and routing tricks that will actually get you to the 17 hottest destinations this year — with realistic, step‑by‑step tactics you can use today.

Why 2026 is different (short version)

Late 2025 and early 2026 brought three big trends that affect award travel strategies:

• Wider but more dynamic award pricing: many carriers blend fixed charts and dynamic pricing — expect variability, but also frequent promo windows.
• More transfer bonuses and targeted offers: transferable currencies (Amex, Chase, Capital One) ran bigger seasonal bonuses in late 2025, creating short, high‑value windows to move miles into partner programs.
• Open routes and new premium cabins: expanded nonstop routes and more premium economy/business seats make sweet‑spot redemptions possible if you search proactively.

How to use this guide

Follow these steps for each destination below. I apply them to every pick so you can repeat the approach for other trips:

1. Pick your origin and blackout tolerances. Decide whether you’ll accept long layovers, mixed cabins, or nearby airports.
2. Start 11–12 months out for premium awards; 2–4 months for economy. That’s the most reliable window in 2026 thanks to early inventory releases and last‑minute top‑ups.
3. One‑way search, then stitch. Search one‑way award availability across programs, then combine the best legs (different programs often show space that others don’t).
4. Transfer only when availability is confirmed. Don’t move transferable points until you can see an open award in the program you’ll use.
5. Use routing tricks: open‑jaw, stopovers when cheap or free, position flights, and hub routing to convert a pricey direct into a bargain partner redemption.
6. Leverage partner sweet spots: some programs don’t pass fuel surcharges (e.g., Avianca LifeMiles historically) or have favorable distance‑based charts (e.g., Alaska Mileage Plan).

Quick toolkit: loyalty programs & transfer partners to know

• Chase Ultimate Rewards — transfers to United, Air Canada (Aeroplan), British Airways (Avios), Turkish Miles&Smiles, etc.
• American Express Membership Rewards — strong for ANA, Air France/KLM (Flying Blue), Singapore, and a variety of airline partners.
• Capital One Miles — improved transfer network in 2025; good for mid‑range options.
• Amex/Chase transfer bonuses: watch for targeted and public bonuses — they happen often in Q4 and spring.
• Key airline programs: United MileagePlus, Air Canada Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, ANA Mileage Club, Alaska Mileage Plan, British Airways Avios, Singapore KrisFlyer, Turkish Miles&Smiles.

Routing tricks that still work in 2026

• Open‑jaw + local transport: fly into City A and out of City B, add a cheap train/ferry to create a mini‑loop without backtracking.
• Position to a hub: it’s often cheaper to position to a major US hub (NYC, MIA, LAX, SFO) and fly a nonstop award.
• Use partner one‑ways: combine a partner carrier one‑way with an airline’s own flight the other way to exploit sweet‑spot pricing.
• Avoid fuel surcharges: book via programs that don't add them (search LifeMiles, Aeroplan routing rules, and some Asia‑Pacific programs).

The 17 best places to travel in 2026 (and how to book them with points)

1. Kyoto, Japan — Best for culture and food

Why go: Kyoto’s temples and culinary scenes keep drawing travelers post‑2025 reopening cycles. In 2026, late autumn and early spring are top value windows.

• Best programs: ANA Mileage Club (for round‑trip Japan awards), United MileagePlus, Singapore KrisFlyer (for partner seats on ANA), Amex transfers.
• Strategy: Search round‑trip premium awards 11–12 months out with ANA (round‑trip can be very efficient), or assemble one‑ways via United or ANA partner space. Transfer Amex/Chase to test availability and move only on confirmation.
• Routing trick: open‑jaw Tokyo↔Kyoto (fly into Osaka/KIX or Kansai and depart Tokyo) and use Shinkansen for an inexpensive surface transfer while maximizing award legs.

2. Sapporo & Hokkaido — Best for winter sports and seafood

Why go: Hokkaido’s ski season and coastal food culture remain a 2026 magnet. Flights often released as systemwide inventory in fall.

• Best programs: Alaska Mileage Plan (good on JAL partners), United, Aeroplan.
• Strategy: Use Alaska to book JAL/other partners where possible; otherwise book to Tokyo and add a cheap domestic Japan flight to Sapporo.
• Tip: Book early for peak winter weeks; look for last‑minute saver seats 2–3 weeks prior if you’re flexible.

3. Lisbon, Portugal — Best European city for sun & value

• Best programs: TAP Air Portugal’s Miles&Go (watch for promo fares), United (Star Alliance partners), British Airways Avios for short hops from Madrid/Barcelona.
• Strategy: Use Aeroplan to construct itineraries with stopovers (Aeroplan's routing flexibility remains useful). Transfer Chase to Aeroplan or Avios for intra‑Europe legs.
• Trick: Book long‑haul into Madrid or Barcelona with Avios then use cheap European short‑haul Avios or low‑cost carriers for Lisbon to save miles and cash.

4. Athens & the Greek Islands — Best for islands & history

• Best programs: Flying Blue (Air France/KLM), Avianca LifeMiles, United/Aeroplan for Star Alliance routes via Athens.
• Strategy: Fly into Athens on a saver award, then use Avios or Flying Blue Short‑haul awards for islands. Consider an open‑jaw Santorini inbound and Mykonos outbound for less backtracking.
• 2026 trend: more premium economy inventory on Euro‑to‑Greece routes — snaffle these early for comfort at lower costs than business.

5. Reykjavik, Iceland — Best for short escapes and natural wonders

• Best programs: Avios (short‑haul from east coast), Aeroplan, United.
• Strategy: Off‑peak winter fares and Iceland stopover programs (on some carriers) can unlock cheap transatlantic returns. Use Avios for East Coast redemptions or Aeroplan for transatlantic premium awards.
• Trick: Combine Reykjavik with a multi‑city European trip using an open‑jaw and a cheap intra‑Europe award.

6. Patagonia (El Calafate/Torres del Paine) — Best for epic outdoors

• Best programs: Aeroplan, Avianca LifeMiles, LATAM via oneworld partners (if available), American AAdvantage for some routes.
• Strategy: Fly into Santiago (Chile) or Buenos Aires, then position south on a domestic award/ticket. Aeroplan often offers flexible routing and tolerates stopovers for a fee; LifeMiles can be ticketed to domestic partners without fuel surcharges.
• Tip: Combine a Patagonia trip with a Buenos Aires or Santiago city stay to maximize value from long‑haul redemptions.

7. Zanzibar, Tanzania — Best for beach + spice markets

• Best programs: Turkish Miles&Smiles (good on Turkish for many routes), Aeroplan (Star Alliance partners), Avianca for select long‑haul partners.
• Strategy: Route via a Middle Eastern or European hub. Turkish often has saver space via IST; Aeroplan is strong for mixed‑carrier itineraries originating from North America.
• Routing trick: Use a Europe or Middle East stopover to split travel and add value (and photos) to your trip.

8. Cairo & Nile Cruise, Egypt — Best for history and river trips

• Best programs: Avianca LifeMiles and Aeroplan (Star Alliance carriers), Turkish via codeshares.
• Strategy: Search one‑way saver awards to Cairo with Star Alliance partners and book a separate Nile cruise with cash or points depending on availability. LifeMiles can be useful for business seats without high fuel surcharges.

9. Oaxaca, Mexico — Best for food and festivals

• Best programs: American AAdvantage, United, Avios for intra‑Mexico short hops.
• Strategy: Use region‑based redemptions from major US hubs. Add an open‑jaw through Mexico City and take a cheap domestic flight to Oaxaca to save international mileage costs.

10. New Orleans, USA — Best for music, food, and short escapes

• Best programs: Domestic loyalty programs (American, Delta, United), credit card travel portals for cheap cash + points.
• Strategy: For domestic short‑haul trips, don’t overcomplicate — use flexible points (Chase/Amex) to book flights or leverage low‑cost award charts and transfer bonuses for seat upgrades.

11. Vancouver & British Columbia — Best for outdoors close to US West Coast

• Best programs: Aeroplan (often excellent for Canada), Alaska Mileage Plan for certain partner routes, Avios for short hops.
• Strategy: Use Aeroplan to assemble complex routings (e.g., add a multiday stopover) or Avios for quick redemptions from the Pacific Northwest.

12. Madeira, Portugal — Best for dramatic hikes and year‑round mild weather

• Best programs: TAP Miles&Go (if available), Aeroplan, Avios for intra‑Europe legs.
• Strategy: Fly to Lisbon or Porto then connect on a low‑cost carrier or Avios short‑haul award. Consider an open‑jaw to pair Madeira with mainland Portugal for lower incremental cost.

13. Seoul, South Korea — Best for food, nightlife, and design

• Best programs: Korean Air Skypass (if reinstated enrollments permit), United, Asiana partners via Aeroplan, Amex/Chase transfers to Asia partners.
• Strategy: Look for long‑haul business saver seats 11 months out; consider mixed cabin itineraries to lower mile totals while flying home in premium economy.

14. Cartagena, Colombia — Best for colonial charm & beaches

• Best programs: Avianca LifeMiles, United, American.
• Strategy: Use LifeMiles for direct Avianca flights from the US; combine with open‑jaw options to explore Bogotá or Medellín if award inventory to Cartagena is tight.

15. Budapest, Hungary — Best for architecture and thermal baths

• Best programs: Aeroplan, United, Avios for cheap intra‑Europe moves.
• Strategy: Book transatlantic long‑haul to a major European hub using Aeroplan/United one‑ways, then Avios for cheap short hops or low‑cost carriers for the final leg.

16. Queenstown, New Zealand — Best for adventure and dramatic landscapes

• Best programs: Air New Zealand via Star Alliance partners (Aeroplan/United), Amex transfers to partner programs like Singapore KrisFlyer for premium awards.
• Strategy: Book long‑haul to Auckland and add a domestic connection. Premium cabin awards are released broadly 11–12 months out — set alerts and be ready to move points during transfer bonuses.

17. Lofoten Islands, Norway — Best for Arctic light and remote beauty

• Best programs: SAS via Star Alliance partners (Aeroplan/United), Avios for Scandinavian short‑haul legs.
• Strategy: Fly to Oslo or Evenes and finish with a short domestic flight or ferry. Use Aeroplan to secure transatlantic premium seats and stitch domestic Norwegian/Scandinavian flights with Avios or low‑cost cash segments.

Four concrete booking examples (step‑by‑step)

Example A — Kyoto: Business class from NYC using Amex transfers

1. Search ANA award space on the ANA or United site 330–355 days out for round‑trip business seats.
2. If round‑trip saver space shows, calculate whether ANA or United offers the lowest miles — ANA often beats dynamic pricing if you book round‑trip.
3. Confirm seats, then transfer Amex Membership Rewards to ANA or Chase to United when a transfer bonus is running (late 2025 saw common bonuses; monitor for 2026 events).
4. Book and lock your dates; add a Shinkansen segment between Osaka and Kyoto as a cash or domestic JR pass segment.

Example B — Reykjavik: Economy one‑way with Avios + return with Aeroplan

1. Use British Airways Avios to book a short‑haul award from NYC/East Coast to Iceland when off‑peak pricing appears.
2. Return using Aeroplan one‑way to capture saver premium economy or business for less miles.
3. Transfer Chase to Avios and Aeroplan only after confirming both legs are bookable.

Example C — Patagonia: Aeroplan long‑haul + cheap domestic legs

1. Search Aeroplan for a long‑haul award to Santiago or Buenos Aires 9–11 months out.
2. Book a separate low‑cost domestic flight to El Calafate or Puerto Natales (Chile) — sometimes cash segments are cheaper than using miles for short domestic routes.
3. Add a day or two stopover in the hub city with Aeroplan if that adds value to your itinerary.

Example D — Zanzibar: Turkish via IST route

1. Search Turkish Miles&Smiles for IST‑Zanzibar availability and partner long‑haul space from the US to IST.
2. If Turkish space exists, transfer Chase or Capital One to Turkish and ticket the entire routing; otherwise construct via Aeroplan or Avianca using Star Alliance partners.
3. Consider a European stopover to break the journey and add sightseeing at little additional mileage cost.

Pro tip: set award alerts using tools (ExpertFlyer, AwardHacker, or airline alerts) and be ready to move points fast during transfer bonuses — that timing wins premium seats in 2026.

Advanced tips & safety nets

• Always have a backup plan: if a transferred currency can’t be reversed, keep a second program that can piece the itinerary together.
• Use refundable award space when possible: some programs allow cancellation with minimal fees — invaluable if plans change.
• Monitor schedule changes: 2026 still sees route churn; keep an eye on schedule shifts and rebook within your program’s change rules when needed.
• Track transfer times: transfers can be instant or take 1–3 days. For tight itineraries, use programs with instant transfers (Chase→United, Amex→ANA sometimes instant) or book with flexible points via the issuer travel portal.

Final checklist before you hit ‘transfer’

• Have award space confirmed and screenshot the confirmation page.
• Compare total cash + fees across programs (some have high YQ fuel surcharges).
• Confirm transfer times and minimum transfer amounts from the credit card program.
• Set calendar reminders for cancellation deadlines, award change windows, and check‑in times.

Why this approach works in 2026

Combining program flexibility with timing discipline (11–12 months for premium cabin, 2–4 months for economy, and watch for last‑minute releases) is the most reliable path in a world of dynamic pricing. Transfer bonuses remain the multiplier that turns everyday points into top‑tier redemptions — but only when paired with confirmed availability.

Takeaways

• Plan early for premium seats, late for last‑minute bargains.
• Use one‑ways and partner programs to stitch the best itinerary.
• Transfer only after confirming award availability.
• Target the programs I name for each destination — they consistently unlock the best awards in 2026.

Ready to book your 2026 adventure?

If you want, tell me your home airport and which of the 17 destinations you’re eyeing and I’ll outline a precise award plan — which program to use, when to transfer, and how to route for the best redemption. Don’t let points sit unused; make 2026 the year you finally go.

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